Chromed seagulls

[steve66]

Hi I have an ac 102 with various parts including tank and water pipe chromed.I thought the previous owner had had these parts chromed after he had purchased it.With thanks to a couple of sos members i have learned that the chroming was actually done by seagull before it left the factory.Does anyone know if these motors are a special edition or a specially commisioned build?
Regards Steve

[charlesp]

That's interesting. The other Charles has a brass tank that has been plated, that one's a brass version of the steel long range tank for a Century.

I've had a chat with Frank who worked at the factory for its latter forty two years, he reckons he's never seen one. He does make the comment that a dealer may have had a tank chromed (and other bits) for a shop window display or similar, maybe a boat show stand.

Chromed water delivery pipes and terminals were standard on pre 1941 102s, fuel pipes too, together with the associated fuel cock and drain cock.

[steve66]

Hi Charles,Thanks for the reply.This one is a 1949 so the 1941 theory goes out of the window,i have to admit even though i prefer seagulls to look factoryoriginal paintwork wise this doe have a special look about it being chrome.
Ps A few months ago our local paper reported the old Sunbeamland is going to be redeveloped using the original buildings but with the current financial situation being as it is i cant see this happening for a while

[charlesp]

I have just chatted to the other Charles, I was wrong about his tank. It's from a 102, too, not a Century.

I saw the stuff about Sunbeamland, it's been derelict for a while I believe.